Question

Refer to Explorations in Literature for a complete version of this article.

Read this excerpt from “Nixon Resigns” by Carroll Kilpatrick:

The President-to-be praised Mr. Nixon’s sacrifice for the country and called it “one of the very saddest incidents that I’ve ever witnessed.”

Which statement best explains how Gerald Ford’s use of informal language affects the tone of his quote?

It creates a detached tone and prevents the reader from understanding Ford's emotions.
It creates a disturbing tone as it appears Ford believes Nixon did nothing wrong.
It creates a solemn tone and provides the reader with insight into Ford's feelings.
It creates a lighthearted tone that shows Ford is a regular person.

Answer 1

it creates a solemn tone and provides the reader with insight into Ford's feelings. :-)

Answer 2

Answer: C) It creates a solemn tone and provides the reader with insight into Ford's feelings.

Explanation: The tone of a text or sentence is the author's or speaker's attitude towards the audience, the subject or even the characters of the text. There are many different kinds of tones, like: positive, negative, objective, sad, angry, etc. In the given excerpt from “Nixon Resigns” by Carroll Kilpatrick the use of informal language creates a solemn tone a provides the reader with insight into Ford's feelings (specifically, the sadness he is feelling).